You'll work with world-renowned physicists using sophisticated equipment to probe the nature of existence and push the boundaries of research. Facilities like our astrocampus and the York Plasma Institute give you unprecedented opportunities to observe and experiment, helping you develop skills demanded by employers across a huge range of sectors.

Gain unique global experiences spending a year at one of our partner universities. Boost your confidence by immersing yourself in a different culture and gain valuable language skills for your CV.

Accreditation

Our Physics courses are accredited by the Institute of Physics (iop.org), guaranteeing the standard of our teaching and learning. Completing this degree will put you on track to becoming a Chartered Physicist.

I love labs - I really enjoy using all the equipment, having a go at what we've been learning and doing something hands on. We got to have a go at cooling superconductors and using them to levitate magnets which was pretty cool! For me it's a far cry from anything I did at school or college!

Course content

This course will give you a grounding in fundamental physics and mathematics, alongside a range of advanced topics. Our core and optional modules will give you a broad base of knowledge, and opportunities to focus on the specialist subjects which excite your curiosity.

In your final year you'll form a team to design and carry out an original research project. You'll work under guidance from an academic supervisor to bring new knowledge and deeper understanding to an area such as quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, nanomaterials or lasers.

Study abroad

If a year studying Physics abroad isn't enough, spend a few weeks or a whole summer on a short course, volunteering programme, or career-related summer school with one of our international partners.

Year 1

Year 1 emphasises core material to consolidate your existing knowledge and prepare you for more advanced study. You'll study a range of key modules, and put your learning into practice in the lab throughout the year.

We'll help you prepare for your year abroad with an additional language module. You'll study a European language at an intermediate or advanced level, so you need at least a grade C in GCSE German, Italian or French.

Academic integrity module

This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.

This module will:

define academic integrity and academic misconduct

explain why and when you should reference source material and other people's work

provide interactive exercises to help you to assess whether you've understood the concepts

provide answers to FAQs and links to useful resources.

Year 2

In Year 2 you'll deepen your understanding of fundamental laws, processes and techniques. Advanced laboratory work will enable you to plan and execute extended experiments. You'll learn to approach problems creatively and develop your skills of experimentation.

Year 3

You'll spend your third year at one of our prestigious partner institutions. You'll return to York for your fourth year with a fresh perspective, and new ideas and skills which will be invaluable for your future development.

Year 4

The final year introduces some advanced concepts, building on the expertise you've developed. Option modules give you the chance to delve deeper into your favourite topic, or discover a new area of advanced physics.

You'll work on a group project to investigate a current problem in the field. You'll conduct original research to reach new conclusions and, at the highest levels, contribute to our understanding of physics.

Core modules

The BSc Project gives you the chance to design and carry out an extended scientific investigation. You'll join a small group looking at a project which will require creativity and original thinking to tackle. Each project is supervised by a specific member of staff with relevant expertise, who can give advice and assistance.

Recent projects have included:

Simulation of plasma blobs

Atomistic modelling of RFeB permanent magnets

Geant Monte-Carlo simulations for the electrons detection system at ISOLDE(CERN)

Correlation in systems of interacting electrons

Probing the structure and dynamics of DNA

Raman spectroscopy studies of archaeological bone

You'll be supported by a professional skills module, building on the expertise developed in Years 1 and 2. You'll work with a team to develop a talk and academic poster to be given at a conference at the end of the year.

Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.

Learning by design

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

Assess and evaluate problems, providing solutions through the application of physics and mathematics knowledge and techniques.

Construct and execute a scientific investigation using the principles of physics in investigating a hypothesis, and interpret outcomes.

Communicate the integration and inter-relation of core physics, present sophisticated concepts and defend outcomes of physical studies succinctly in both written and oral formats to audiences in a logical way.

Use appropriate digital technologies in data handling and understand the wider applications of these techniques in quantitative science.

Discriminate between modern experimental and measurement methods and the limitations imposed by assessment of systematic and random errors in the experimental design and execution.

Be inspired by and articulate the advantages of successfully studying in a non-UK academic environment and how this broadens your perspective and develops adaptability, flexibility, resilience and drive.

Fees and funding

The fees and funding figures below are for 2019 entry. If you take a year abroad or year in industry you'll pay a reduced rate of fees for that year.

Annual tuition fees

UK/EU

International

£9,250

£21,330

UK/EU or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK, EU or international student.

Fees for subsequent years

UK/EU: further increases within the government fee cap will apply in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.

International: fees for international students are subject to annual increases. Increases are currently capped at 2% per annum.

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.

Funding

We offer a number of scholarships to help cover tuition fees and living costs.

Physics Academic Excellence Scholarships

We offer £1,000 in each year of your degree if you achieve an A* or equivalent in Mathematics or Physics and select York as your firm choice when applying. This scholarship is renewable each year, subject to attaining full credits and an overall mark of 70 per cent or higher at your first attempt.

Master Class Research Placements

If you achieved an A* or equivalent in A level Mathematics or Physics and maintain an overall mark of 70% or higher Year 1 you'll be guaranteed a paid summer placement with one our research groups.

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Teaching format

Much of your teaching will be in the form of lectures based on our cutting-edge research. Twice a week you'll join four or five other students to discuss course material with a tutor. Discussions often range beyond the immediate subject matter to wider implications and issues.

You'll have regular meetings with a personal academic supervisor, who will guide your studies and keep an eye on your academic progress and general welfare.

Overall workload

As a guide, students on this course typically spend their time as follows:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Lectures and seminars

396 hours

444 hours

0 hours

228 hours

Placement

0 hours

0 hours

1200 hours

0 hours

The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.

The rest of your time on the course will be spent on independent study. This may include preparation for lectures and seminars, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.

Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours will vary from person to person. In UK higher education the expectation is that full-time students will spend 1,200 hours a year learning.

Teaching location

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.

Assessment and feedback

Most of your assessment will be by formal examination. You'll also be marked on regular problem exercises and laboratory work, coursework and formal report writing. We balance various types of assessment to develop and test your different strengths:

Examinations

Extended assignments

Weekly problems

Formal reports

Practical laboratory work

Presentations

Practical research methods

You'll get prompt, regular feedback to help you develop your skills. Our open door policy means you can always approach your tutors if you want to discuss your work.

Percentage of the course typically assessed by coursework and exams

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Written exams

64%

64%

0%

56%

Coursework

34%

31%

100%

40%

Practical exams

2%

5%

0%

4%

The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.

Careers and skills

Our graduates are sought by employers in a huge range of disciplines. The skills you will learn - analysis, mathematics, problem-solving - are relevant in industries from finance to software development. Alternatively, many of our graduates progress to postgraduate degrees at York and other leading universities.

We're committed to supporting our students' career development and employability - it's embedded in our core teaching. We organise activities from careers fairs to leadership building exercises to ensure you're prepared to enter the jobs market with a competitive edge. Thanks to this commitment to employability we have the 2nd highest score for graduates “career after 6 months” for physics departments in the 2019 Guardian University Guide.

Career opportunities

Our graduates are working as:

Accelerator Physicist, Science and Technology Council

Engineer, BAE Systems

Scientist, The Home Office

Financial Coordinator, De Vere

IT Analyst and Consultant, Virgin money

Teacher

Electrical Engineer, Jaguar Land Rover

Environmental Modeller, E.ON

Accountant, John Lewis

Transferable skills

Self-management

Communication skills

Team working

Problem solving

Creativity and innovation

IT literacy

Mathematics

If you choose to study abroad, you will come back stronger, more resilient, and with a taste for travel and adventure.

Holly, MPhys Theoretical Physics

Entry requirements

Qualification

Typical offer

A levels

AAB including A in Physics and Maths.

This must include a pass in all practical components (where offered).

Your third A level can be in a wide range of acceptable subjects. We do not accept General Studies or Critical Thinking.

GCSEs

4 (C) or above in French, German or Italian

Cambridge Pre-U

D3 D3 M2 in 3 principal subjects including D3 in Physics and Maths

European Baccalaureate

80% Overall, with 85% in Physics and Maths

International Baccalaureate

35 Points with higher level Maths and Physics at grade 6

Other qualifications

All other qualifications, including Scottish Highers and Irish Leaving Certificates, will be considered individually.

If you don't have suitable qualifications in Maths and/or Physics, successfully completing a Foundation Year will guarantee a place on any of our undergraduate degrees:

We welcome applications from mature students and students without standard qualifications. Please contact our admissions team to discuss your specific circumstances.

You may also be interested in our part-time access course:

EPQ

We recognise the value of this qualification although it will not be included as a condition of entry. It may be taken into consideration when you receive your results.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

IELTS: 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component

PTE: 55, with a minimum of 51 in each component

C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency: 169, with a minimum of 162 each component

TOEFL: 79 overall, with a minimum of 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17in Writing

Applying

Interview days

If we're thinking about making you an offer, we'll invite you to an interview day. This gives us a chance to discuss your choice of course and get a better picture of you as an individual. You'll get a chance to look around the Department and University, attend a mini-lecture, take part in some hands-on activities, and talk to our academics and student ambassadors.